This match concluded a highly successful tournament in the Free State, where 21 matches delivered no less than 172 tries and 1099 points being scored.

DHL Western Province finished the Learners with Special Education Needs (LSEN) Week as the top gong after a very impressive final match against SWD Eagles, emerging as 53-5 winners on the final day at Sentraal High School in Bloemfontein.

As the score suggest, there was only really one team in command and the Cape side kept their clean slate for the tournament by scoring no less than nine tries to the solitary effort from SWD. DHL WP’s No 8, Dimitri Gossmann, was a big thorn in die SWD side with his three five pointers on this occasion, but it was a team effort that resulted in the side crossing the line 22 times in their three matches played at the 2019 Week.

The Leopards scrumhalf, Lesego Seikaneng, finished the tournament as leading points’ scorer with 57 points, including seven tries in three matches.

However, in their match against the Gauteng XV, not even the prolific Seikaneng was the most productive points’ scorer. Gauteng XV’s centre Michael Dicks scored four tries and kicked six conversions for a personal tally of 32 points in the match, which his team won 52-26. The Gauteng XV continued with their good performances they managed to deliver this past week and outplayed Leopards in a match that delivered no less than 12 tries.

The Gauteng side were off to a fast start and jumped into a commanding 35-7 lead at the break.

The EP Elephants finished their week with a win over Griffons when they defeated the Goldfields team 31-22. Leading 17-10 at the break, the EP side continued with their dominance and outscored the Griffons by five tries to four. EP flanker Nando Kemp scored three of those, while Keanan Webb (centre) added three vital conversions. Lock Wian Herbst managed to score two tries for the losing side.

The match-up between Golden Lions EE and Pumas turned out to be a well-balanced affair. The Lions scored first and managed to hold on for a 5-0 lead at the break. The second half was just as competitive and both teams scored twice, with the first half effort from Bandile Mazibuko (flyhalf) proving the difference in the end.

The Free State Cheetahs left their best performance for last as they totally dominated the Sharks 45-5 in their final encounter. The hosts ran in seven tries, with six of those coming in the second half. Scores were tight at the break with KZN just in front at 7-0, however, they overran their opponents in the second half by scoring three of their six tries through No 8 Tsekiso Mokhele.

The Jukskei derby between Blue Bulls and Golden Lions was a real nail-biting affair and it was the Pretoria team who prevailed by 15-14. Both teams scored a converted try in first half play but it was a drop goal from flyhalf Luan Gouws that gave the Blue Bulls the edge at the break. The second half also delivered two tries and despite converting theirs, the Golden Lions still found themselves a point short of their opponents when the final whistle sounded.

Meanwhile nine tries were scored in the 43-28 Valke win over Boland and credit must go to the two goal kickers on each side. Ettiene Fourie (flank) converted five of the six Valke tries and also kicked a penalty goal while the Boland flyhalf, Clifton le Fleur, converted all three of their tries, including his own try. The Cape team were also awarded a penalty try.

The LSEN Week Day Three results are:

Golden Lions EE 15-10 Pumas

EP Elephants 31-22 Griffons

Free State Cheetahs 45-5 Sharks

Gauteng XV 52-26 Leopards

Blue Bulls 15-14 Golden Lions

Valke 43-28 Boland

DHL Western Province 53-5 SWD Eagles